"Shinto" means "way of the gods" ("kami no michi"), and it is a "cosmic religion", that finds in the beauty and symmetry of nature manifestations of the gods.

    The essence of Shintoism is kami, the divine spirit found in all things in heaven and earth, mountains and rivers, sun and moon, plants, animals, and human beings... and very specially at Mount Fuji, the cherry blossoms, bonsai trees, formal gardens, and the Sakaki (the holy tree).
  
    Shinto accepts the material world as good, while Buddhism view the world as evil, yet both religions are practiced in Japan... and often at the same time: They celebrate weddings in Shinto "shrines", and funerals in Buddhist "temples".

    The main deity is Goddess Amaterasu, a sun goddess of fertility, reputed to be the founder of the ruler dynasty in Japan, so the Emperor is divine... and Shintoism was the state religion until World War II (1945).
    God Jino is the protector of property, usually found in the gardens at home

The Number of Shintoists, varies with different sources:
        Encyclopedia Britannica:  1974: 63 million
        Ministry of Education:  1974: 90 million; 1978: 99 million in Japan, with 88 million Buddhists, and 1 million Christians.

Sacred Texts:
    "Kojiki", ancient masters (710 AC); The Kojiki
    "Nihon Shoki", chronicles of Japan (720.A.C). Nihon Shoki, 31 volumes

TRADITIONS:
    1- Jinga, the state religion until 1945.
    2- Kyoko, follows the teachings of a leader.

Symbol: A torii is a traditional Japanese gate commonly found at the entry to a Shinto shrine. It has two upright supports and two crossbars on the top, and is frequently painted vermilion.. The origin of the torii is said to come from an old Japanese legend, when the sun goddess became extremely annoyed with her prankster brother. She hid herself in a cave and sealed the entrance with a rock, causing an eclipse. The people were afraid that if the sun never returned, they all would die. So, per the advice of a token wise old man, they built a large bird perch out of wood and placed all the town's roosters on this perch. They all started to crow noisily, causing the curious sun goddess to peek out of her cave. Having opened the door a crack, a large sumo wrestler from the town ran up and pushed the rock away, letting the sun out and thus the world was saved. That bird perch was the first torii gate. From then on, the torii became a symbol of prosperity and good fortune, and spread all over Japan.

Shintoism and the Bible:

    Shintoism concurs with the Bible that God created everything in heavens and on earth, and every creature is beautiful and perfect, made by God, and God can only create beautiful and perfect creatures, manifestations  of the greatness of God, heavens and earth are full of your glory.

    In that sense,  Every Shintoist would be very happy to be a "Franciscan", with the loving brother sun, sister mountain, brother dog, sister flower, brother neighbor, brother wolf...

    However, there are no several gods in the Bible, even the Emperor is not God, he can not create stars nor insects, not even an atom. To adore or  give cult or trust  to any god that is not the real God is an idolatry, a sacrilegious sin.

    Shrine visitors write their wishes on these wooden plates and then leave them at the shrine in the hope that their wishes come true. Most people wish for good health, success in business, passing entrance exams, love or wealth.